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You guys. My favorite topic. Design software and all the fun designy things.

Below is a comprehensive list of what I currently use, have used, tried, and love for creating everything from simple social media graphics and newsletters to logos and full visual identities for brands.

When I spoke with Joy Vetterlein a few weeks ago (go meet her and read about our conversation here), this topic of creative discipline came up towards the end of our conversation. And it got me thinking — what’s the impact on our own businesses if we practice creative discipline? How does that kind of consistency then end up creating an impact for the people we’re creating for?

I’m a firm believer that brainstorming is a necessary step prior to starting any new project, whether it’s a product or offering, service, business idea, event, etc. And because we’re creative souls, we may “think” we’re good at brainstorming.

My husband, Gavin, and I are currently in the middle of Season 3 of Star Trek: The Next Generation — I had this idea while falling asleep after watching a few episodes the other night.

What if I created a “captain’s log” inside the Think Tank?

Is it weird that I dream about going on a retreat to a kick-ass cabin somewhere, preferably in the middle of nowhere, to read and create and come up with crazy ideas?

Surprisingly enough, with the plan outlined in Part One (if you haven’t read part one, go do that quickly or this post won’t make much sense!), you now have a system for creation.

But I’m creative, you say. I don’t need a ‘system to create’, you claim. My creativity comes and goes – there’s no possible way I could use a ‘system’ for my creative genius, you declare.

Oh my friend, do we ever understand each other.

Let me give you a quick peek into my last decade as a testimonial for the necessity of having some kind of creation system.

Prior to creating The Creative’s Almanac, my plan for a new year was usually built solely on my hopes and dreams. Wouldn’t it be great if I could accomplish this? Life would be so great if I could only do that one thing…

And that was about it. I had very little action built into my ‘plan’ filled with big ideas for the future.

It took me a while to realize that there’s nothing wrong with big dreams as long as they’re backed with an intentional plan.

For a long time, I operated under the assumption that clarity is something I find outside of myself. Like, I need to scour Pinterest and Instagram for the most quote-worthy, mind-blowing sentiments that will suddenly provide a burst of clarity.

As I get older, I’m learning that for the most part, we have everything we need. Outside sources like strangers on the internet, coaches, or therapists can help guide us in our quest, but ultimately, what we seek is already within us. Sometimes we just need the right structure to help us uncover it.

For at least the past decade, I’ve done some kind of year-in-review marathon planning session in December — typically in that in-between time right after Christmas and just before the new year. I’d search Google and Etsy for creative planning worksheets and download the comprehensive and sometimes overly fluffy versions other people were producing.

I’d plan an entire day around this planning session…

That cozy fall energy is slowly working its way into my system, reminding me of the joy I find in hunkering down, making soup, and asking myself what I want out of the rest of the year. Specifically in that order.

While on the topics of rest and reflection during October, I’m getting curious about how hope plays a role in my rest and my reflection, and more importantly, how hope affects my creativity. Maybe it’s an important thing for you to consider as well, especially given the year we’re all experiencing.